Experience the Climate of the Kingdom! It is Heavenly!

Experience the Climate of the Kingdom – It’s Heavenly!
The Universe, Including Man is God’s.
Metaphysical Application Ideas for the Christian Science Bible Lesson June 21, 2009
“Is the Universe Including Man, Evolved by Atomic Force?”
Prepared by Kathy Fitzer, C.S. of St. Louis, MO

Editor’s Note: The following application ideas for this week and the Possible Sunday School Topics that follow are offered primarily to help CEDARS campers and staff (as well as friends) see and demonstrate the great value of daily study and application of the Christian Science Bible lessons year-round, not just at camp! You can sign up to have them emailed to you free — in English by Monday each week, or by each Wednesday you can get a FREE TRANSLATION in French from Pascal or in Spanish from Ana. JUST SIGN UP at www.cedarscamps.org/newsletters

Exalt GOD! Demand to see HIS perfect creation. Sing and shout in recognition of and gratitude for HIS perfect power, and stick to what Science reveals. Refuse to recognize anything else that SUGGESTS it has power! This lesson helps us understand WHY we can confidently answer NO to the question “Is the universe, including man, evolved (developed gradually) by atomic force (matter)?” Creation is unchanging good – a complete idea of Mind in the kingdom of heaven, ever unfolding as unique expression.

Golden Text: “Rise up, O Lord, in all your power. With music and singing we celebrate your mighty acts.” (New Living Translation) It’s God’s Kingdom! Watch and praise Him!

Responsive Reading: Are you ever tempted — like Job was — to question God? Especially when things are tough, it’s tempting to blame God … or at least question how He could allow us to be in such a mess. In Job 31, Job is proclaiming his innocence and asking God to explain things to him. Job may have lived a good life, but he’s sounding pretty self-righteous here. So God calls out Job and asks him what he knows about how the world was created. Where was he while God has been taking care of all the details? I loved the line that says, “to cause it to rain on the earth, where no man is…” Man isn’t the doer! But sometimes we get confused about that and make ourselves the center of things – rather than God. God even asks who Job thinks gives understanding? Sometimes we get hung up on thinking that we have to GET understanding on our own. But, God does EVERYTHING! Finally Job gets it! God is the only power! Our job, as witness, is to accept and praise that power with a “Yeah!”

Section I: Where does God reign? What does God’s kingdom look like?
Everything is God’s. He made it all! And He reigns in His temple (from the Latin, templum meaning open or consecrated place). When the Bible speaks of “the kingdom” it’s talking about God’s reign of power. God doesn’t reign in a place, but His works are in wisdom. (B-1&2) Christian Science translates Wisdom as Mind. So, God’s kingdom is the realm of always right, everlasting, and all-powerful Mind. (S-1) That being the case, this kingdom must be filled with ideas that are obedient to Mind. (S-3) If you have an idea, that idea does what you tell it to — it is obedient to you and can’t act on its own. So, that’s true for Mind’s ideas – the real identity of man and the universe. Intelligence (God) is the center of this universe of Mind and holds everything. Mortal eyes see pieces of matter being held together by unreliable material “laws.” But that’s the out-of-focus view. Adjust the lens. Instead of seeing things as material and vulnerable, recognize the substance of ideas (having perfect form and capable of unlimited action), subject to Mind in the kingdom of heaven – here and now. Marker 3 (Isa. 43: 10, 21) explains where we fit in with all this. As idea, our job is to be God’s witness and servant — God’s story. Just like numbers and notes tell the story of mathematics and music. We are ESSENTIAL to God’s being, but God is the reigning power. Then, no matter what you are asked to do or where you are, or what “the devil” is SUGGESTING to you — translate your activity into Spirit (Mind and ideas) and praise GOD for HIS control!

Section 2: Spirit, the great architect, made you! (S-5)
Do you have a hard time wrapping your arms around the idea of everything being made by Spirit — that the kingdom of heaven is here and now? Does it seem easier to go along with the popular belief that matter is a creator? 400 years ago people thought Copernicus was crazy for suggesting that the earth revolved around the sun, rather than the other way around. They didn’t believe Galileo either – even after he offered “proof.” But, now everyone knows that Copernicus and Galileo were right and we’re not even tempted to believe what our eyes tell us. One day people will also stop believing the testimony that says that life has evolved from matter, and accept the FACT that Spirit (Mind) alone has designed us and the universe. More and more, physicists are coming to see that matter is nothing. They just haven’t yet figured out that the “infinite progression [of Spirit] is concrete being.” (Misc. 82: 20)

Look at the amazing beauty and order of nature. Those of you at CedarS, take a good look at all the stars you can see at night there. As special as all of that is, we are even more special. God made US (man) to have dominion (sovereign control) over everything around us. He put all things under our feet. (B-6) So, we can’t be turned upside down or overwhelmed or afraid that something “might happen” to us. God gave us DOMINION!!! Believing that life evolves from matter, we end up turning our world upside down and we lose sight of our dominion. Jeremiah painted a word-picture for his people when they turned their back on God and turned to idols. It is still true. He told them that not only did they reject the spring of water that is Spirit, but they tried to collect rain water in leaky barrels. (B-9) What undependable resources are we turning to? Mortal theories – no matter how commonly accepted – are as worthless as idols. They say that either Spirit created its opposite, or matter created itself. (S-7) Neither makes sense. Human theories try to start with inharmony and make it harmonious. The Science of Mind (the facts of true creation.) says that life is already harmonious. It’s worth the effort to understand this Science. (S-9) You don’t have to go along with the crowd. You can be a trend setter by accepting that Spirit designed you with perfect specifications! So, you are strong and nothing about you can ever crumble! Isn’t that kind of promise worth refuting the testimony of the senses?

Section 3: God, Spirit, controls the universe, including the weather. Stand still and see it!
The kingdom of heaven is ruled by Love. Sometimes human rulers get in trouble because they think it is their kingdom and they forget to be governed by God. King Ahab began ruling Israel around 874 B.C.E. He had always worshipped Yahweh (the God of Israel) until he married Jezebel who worshipped gods called Baal — believed to govern the land and the weather. Then he wavered, didn’t resist her idolatrous ways, and soon almost all of Israel had turned away from God, Spirit, and were depending on these idols for their help. Elijah was the prophet (the spiritual seer) at that time and tried to tell Ahab he was making a mistake. Finally he told him that Israel would suffer a drought because they had turned away from God. It’s not that God was punishing anyone, but God is the source of all good. And, if God is turned away from, the good disappears. It’s like if you turn away from the lamp, you are cut off from the light. Turn back and the light is there again. Ever feel like you’re experiencing a drought of inspiration? Give ALL of your attention to God and you’ll hear the angels that have been there all along! Elijah finally convinced the people (and Ahab) that his God was more reliable than the gods of Baal. Remember when Elijah had a contest with the prophets of Baal to see which side could get a fire started first? (I Kings 18) After that, God told Elijah that rain would be coming, and Elijah told Ahab. Wow! That’s faith! The senses reported a cloudless sky. No indication it would rain, but Elijah was used to listening to God. He went up to the mountain and prayed to see what God had assured him would be there. (B-12) It seemed like a miracle — that rain would suddenly come. But it was natural, because the atmosphere of thought was finally ready to turn back to the source of all good. (S-11)

Everyone is invited to join CedarS campers and staff in bringing about a climate change by proving that we live and move and breathe in the “atmosphere of Love divine.” (Hymn 144) We live in the Kingdom! Check out the spiritual ingredients listed in Misc. Writings 354:15 to join in establishing a climate of thought that gives all to God and thus allows harmony to be seen and felt. There always seems to be some kind of conflict in a material world. So, the secret must be to shift thought out of the material world. We don’t have to be afraid of any kind of disturbance – including of weather. The “noise” is just material beliefs breaking up to be moved off. (S-14) If you had a big piece of concrete that needed to be removed, the only way to move it would be to first break it up. Breaking it will take a lot of work and it will be noisy and dirty, but it will be worth it! Be still, and be determined. Stick with Spirit. Work to see what God is doing – as Elijah worked to see it – and you’ll start seeing evidence of the real (and harmonious), and the lies of material sense will break apart and be carried away from view. Don’t be fooled by the evidence of the senses! The sun appears to move around the earth, but in science the sun is still and the earth moves. Right where inharmony appears to be, in Science there IS harmony!

Section 4: Storms? What’s the big deal? Science shushes them up!
Whether a storm comes in the form of bad weather or pain or fear, or just feeling upset about something, demand a climate change! Jesus showed us how to stay in the Kingdom of Heaven where there are no storms. He exercised his Christ authority and instructed the waves to be still. He was never disturbed by the storm because he knew he was safe in the atmosphere of Love. Did you notice? Jesus didn’t flip out and get brought down by his disciple’s fear. Instead, he included them in his peace. Faith enables us, like it did Jesus, to get our information from Science rather than the senses. (B-15) The prophet Amos tried to give the people of his time the Scientific view: no matter how it looks, God made everything and even gives man his thoughts! (B-16) Isn’t it time to start really accepting the facts … instead of getting distracted by the sense testimony picture? Stick to Science and there is NOTHING to be afraid of. Why was Jesus so good at reversing the evidence of matter? Because he viewed EVERYTHING from the standpoint of Science (true knowledge.) (S-17) Science isn’t influenced by how things appear to the physical senses. (The earth was never the center of the solar system.) The key is to realize that Science remains UNDISTURBED. (S-20) “Watch and pray for that Mind to be in [you] which was also in Christ Jesus” (6th tenet, S&H p.497) and demand a climate change. No matter what bad stuff gets in your face, stay focused and watch God unfold the real right there. Any disturbance is just the counterfeit of the “spiritual forces of divine Mind.” (S-19) Speak with the authority of Christ. Remember, a counterfeit has no buying power once it’s seen to be a counterfeit. Neither does the storm – no matter how loud it rages or how scary it looks! Practice on the little stuff — accept NO disturbances. Then the “big” things won’t seem so scary.

Section 5: Shout Your Praises! Stand Porter! Bring in the Harvest! Heal! (B-17)
Jesus healed whatever crossed his path by bringing every situation into conformity with the reign of God in His kingdom. He sent his disciples out to heal. Then, he prayed that God would send workers into the field to bring in the fruit — to demonstrate the healing effects of the Christ presence. (B-18) YOU are an answer to prayer! It is up to each of us to follow Jesus’ instructions to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead and cast out devils. As Christian Scientists we have freely received the knowledge of what is real. Isn’t it time to freely give? (B-19) It truly is our duty (and privilege) to heal – no matter how young or how old we appear to be! (S-21) We heal to glorify God, to harvest the good that He is constantly providing. It takes practice, but you can experience a climate change (and bring the whole world into your atmosphere) as you see that the only thing that needs adjusting is THOUGHT! In the case where Mrs. Eddy healed the woman who had trouble breathing, the wind hadn’t changed. . . only her thought about the wind. (S-22) It might seem as though contact with animals or plants or an accident or some sort of disease are responsible for your problems (or those of another). Nope! Those things have nothing to do with anything. All that needs changing is your BELIEF that they are the problem. STAND PORTER! You’re in charge of watching the door of your thought. Constantly ask: “Who goes there? Are you a true friend? Are you really good – or are you just dressed up like good, trying to trick me?” Sometimes thoughts act like real bullies: “I am REALLY bad. I can hurt you. I’m too scary to just pray about.” Who says? Would Jesus believe that? Would he expect his students to put up with being pushed around by such lies? NO. You have been given DOMINION! We’re told in Science and Health exactly how to respond to bullies! Mentally INSIST that (1) harmony is the fact; (2) sickness– or accident or unhappiness or anything not good– is a temporary dream. How long do you stick with the facts of harmonious being? Until the body corresponds! (S-25) How long do you refuse to let an unwanted guest into your home or room? Until they go away and things are back to normal. Refuse to be intimidated, and you will experience climate change! The storm will blow over and reveal the sunlight of Truth shining on all!

Section 6: The Kingdom Within!
So, where is this heavenly Kingdom we’ve been talking about– the one that doesn’t include storms or discord of any kind? The Pharisees and Scribes kept asking Jesus when it was going to come. People today are WAITING to get there. Jesus shared the good news– it’s here! It’s now! It is within consciousness. Because it isn’t a place. It is a power. Stop waiting for something to happen and demand a viewing now. (B-21) It’s like waiting for a new movie to come out when the DVD has already been put into your player at home. You just have to turn on the TV and watch. We have to stop waiting and start watching. John saw it– while he was here viewing the same world we’re viewing. He was in exile. His views had not been accepted (like Galileo’s views of the earth and sun had not been accepted by the church at his time.) But, John insisted on seeing according to Science, rather than getting stuck in what the material senses were saying. (B-23) He saw the Kingdom in which the all-powerful good God reigns. God had told him to write down what he saw so others could learn from it. His instructions were: Yeah!!! God reigns and is the ONLY power. Be glad, rejoice and give GOD the honor! (B-24) In other words, stop bowing down to the reports of the material senses and demand a climate change! The Kingdom’s climate is heavenly and is available here. I remember going to a science center where they gave a demonstration of what winds are like in a tornado. It sure seemed real, but I wasn’t afraid because I knew that someone was controlling the winds. Guess what! God is in control of the atmosphere in HIS Kingdom. Choose to enter that Kingdom whenever the senses present scary or unhappy or disturbing evidence to the contrary. Mrs. Eddy wrote down a full explanation of the Science of Christ as it had been revealed to her by God. In the chapter of Science and Health about John’s vision (the Apocalypse) she reiterates that “the kingdom of God ‘is within you.'” It is within reach of our consciousness and we can recognize (see) the harmony that is present (even when it looks like it’s not) in proportion to our understanding of God. (S-28) Why waste time focused on what isn’t, when there is so much value in understanding what is. To make that understanding our own, we have to practice what we already know. Just like music or math or dance or athletics or anything else, knowledge and mastery increases the more you practice what you already know and keep adding to it. Remember from the Responsive Reading, God put wisdom in us and has given us understanding. Accept it! Concentrate on making climate changes one step at a time until you see that heaven is here and you can correct what appears to be with what Science tells you is!

This weekly Metaphysical Newsletter is provided at no charge to the 1,200 campers and staff we hope to bless again this summer at CEDARS–as well as to CEDARS alumni, families and friends who request it, or find it on our website. But, current and planned gifts are much-needed to help cover the costs of running this service and of providing camperships.

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Camp Director’s Note: This sharing is the latest in an ongoing, 8-year series of CedarS Bible Lesson “mets” (metaphysical application ideas) contributed weekly by a rotation of CedarS Resident Practitioners and occasionally by other metaphysicians. (To keep the flow of the practitioner’s ideas intact and to allow for more selective printing the “Possible Sunday School Topics” come in a subsequent email.) This weekly offering is intended to encourage further study and application of ideas in the lesson and to invigorate Sunday School participation by students and by the budding teachers on our staff. Originally sent JUST to my Sunday School students and to campers, staff and CedarS families who wanted to continue at home and in their home Sunday Schools the same type of focused Lesson study, application and inspiration they had felt at camp, CedarS lesson “mets” are in no way meant to be definitive or conclusive or in any way a substitute for daily study of the lesson. The thoughts presented are the inspiration of the moment and are offered to give a bit more dimension and background as well as new angles on the daily applicability of some of the ideas and passages being studied. The weekly Bible Lessons are copyrighted by the Christian Science Publishing Society and are printed in the Christian Science Quarterly as available at Christian Science Reading Rooms or online at eBibleLesson,com or myBibleLesson.com. The citations referenced (i.e. B-1 and S-28) from this week’s Bible Lesson in the “met” (metaphysical application ideas) are taken from the Bible (B-1 thru B-24) and the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health With Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. (S-1 thru S-30) The Bible and Science and Health are the ordained pastor of the Churches of Christ, Scientist. The Bible Lesson is the sermon read in Christian Science church services throughout the world. The Lesson-Sermon speaks individually through the Christ to everyone, providing unique insights and tailor-made applications for each one. We are glad you requested this metaphysical sharing and hope that you find some of the ideas helpful in your daily spiritual journey, in your deeper digging in the books and in closer bonding with your Comforter and Pastor.
Enjoy!
Warren Huff, Camp Director, director@cedarscamps.org (636) 394-6162

CedarS Possible Sunday School Topics [P.S.S.T. for a Happy Heavenly Father’s Day]  by Merrill Boudreaux for June 21, 2009 :
“Is the Universe, Including Man, Evolved by Atomic Force?”

P.S.S.T. – Golden Text and Responsive Reading (RR)
Let us declare with Job in Job 42:2, “I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.” What is listed in the RR as to what God has done? Perhaps students would like to create a song or poem celebrating the works of God, or select a hymn or song to sing in praise of God’s works.

Section 1- Where in the world is God? Clearly in this section is stated what God has done. What is our role? See the B- 3 (Isa. 43:10) and B-4 (Psalms 145:10,11).

Section 2- What does God know about that which God has created? Make two lists, one with how a naturalist or physical scientist would define the origin of man and the universe, the second with how a spiritually minded individual understands the origin of man and the universe.

Section 3- What does the story in the B-12, reveal about the ongoing, never-ending care for our planet, our universe? Note that God does what God does in, as, and through man. So we each have a role to play in the seeming “arena of conflicting forces.” What is the result when spiritual understanding increases? See S-14 (96:27). Where does this spiritual understanding increase? In the thought of every idea, thus, again, the importance of cultivating spiritual understanding.

Section 4- How was Jesus able to still the storm? You can certainly list what Jesus said and did, but what was the thought behind Jesus’ sayings and actions? Look to S-16 (506:10-12) and S-20 (306:25) for some information. There is also an interesting word in the B- 14 (Mark 3:7), “withdrew”. What does this word mean, and what does a positive sense of withdrawal mean? Think also of entering the closet, see S&H 15:3.
“The closet typifies the sanctuary of Spirit, the door of which shuts out sinful sense but lets in Truth, Life, and Love. Closed to error, it is open to Truth, and vice versa. The Father in secret is unseen to the physical senses, but He knows all things and rewards according to motives, not according to speech. To enter into the heart of prayer, the door of the erring senses must beclosed. Lips must be mute and materialism silent, that man may have audience with Spirit, the divine Principle, Love, which destroys all error.”

Section 5- Because of our withdrawing, or entering the closet, we too can seek spiritual understanding to be able to practice what is on the seal of Science and Health. What does that seal state? (See a version of that statement in the B-19 (Matthew 10:8). See also S-21 (37:22-25) and S-25 (149:27) as to what it is our privilege to do. After reading the story of the woman Mary Baker Eddy healed, Mary Ann Jarvis of Warren, Maine in 1864, this would be a good time to have the class share their own healings, or healings with which they may be familiar. A healing from a recent Sentinel or Journal, or one from the Fruitage chapter in S&H may also be a good sharing.

Section 6- Indeed there is gladness and rejoicing [on our Happy Heavenly Father’s Day] when one understands that the entire universe was created by God, is being sustained by God, and will ever be controlled by God. Where is this kingdom of God? How do we glimpse or see more of this kingdom? Where do we look for it? What is the result when we see it? See S-27 (208:20) and S-28 (576:21).
What is the definition of revelation? Unveiling, where a previously hidden or unseen truth is disclosed or revealed. Of what are you absolutely certain?

Warren Huff, Executive Director The CedarS Camps Website: www.cedarscamps.org
Email: warren@cedarscamps.org Tel: (636) 394-6162